Ms. Mattie has been moved from the deck enclosure to the main introduction cage in the big enclosure. She was going nuts inside the other enclosure, meowing almost non-stop both day and night. I’m sure my one neighbor was not enjoying this noise as the enclosure is close to his bedroom window and she has a very loud meow.

So now, she is sharing her world with the two male cats out of the same car where I found her kittens. She is less vocal unless it is close to feeding time. When the kittens were taken from her she was upset enough at the loss to stop eating. Rather than resort to force feeding her, I opted instead to ask for a few appetite stimulant pills and received four days worth. She is eating now and I just weighed her- she is 8 pounds 10 ounces!

We are also having to soak her belly in warm compresses five times a day and she is on an antibiotic to stave off mastitis. Two of her nipples are looking quite painful and swollen. She leans into the warmth of the cloths pressed against her. We do it while she is eating so it will serve as a distraction against something wet on her belly.

I wish I could take her in to get her spayed, but she is now heavy with milk. Ironic, because when she first arrived here, she only  had on viable nipple the rest of the milk bar had been shut down. We really are on guard against mastitis, the poor girl has been through enough already.

Her babies are growing like weeds. Linda, the kitten food arrived a few days ago. Thank you for sending more MaxKitten our way. Totally appreciate the help.

The personalities are starting to show now on the kittens.

Smokey Joe is the feistiest of the group. He is always wanting to be held and petted. He loves to ride on my shoulders when I am in there doing my chores. He also chews on my ear lobes. Thank God I don’t wear pierced earrings!

Mack Dabby is the largest. He just reached the 2 pound mark and his paws are gigantic. There is Maine Coon lurking inside that boy. He loves the pet fountain and plays in the water most of the time. He has splashed his sister Flash a few times when she gets to close trying to figure out what he is doing.

Flash is quite sweet. She is a lap sitter and likes to be cradled in our arms. Unlike her sister, she is not very vocal. Her sister Foggy likes to play hide-n-seek in the room. One morning, I was panicked because I thought I looked everywhere for her and she was gone. Then I picked up the pillows off the bed and there she was underneath, fast asleep!  They are all now approaching the 2 pound mark- they have fat little bellies and love to have their bellies rubbed.

NAO has taken over the house. It was a gradual take-over. First on his list was to conquer Pop’s lap. He was seeking mine out until he figured out my lap doesn’t have the luxury of sitting for long periods of time. Pop doesn’t go anywhere for long stretches of time, so there you go- he is now Pop’s kitty of which I am glad, for Taylor has been missed by Mike since she had to be put to sleep.

Speaking of putting to sleep- Cooper is gone now. I did not have an opportunity to say goodbye to him- after his last vet visit, he slid downhill quite quickly and she was kind enough to end it for him instead of letting him suffer for another 30 some days. He died at home, I am sure in her arms if not Jim’s. Vets do make house calls out here thankfully.

Last but not least there is Solo. He’s the funniest boy. When I am petting him and I stop, he will sit up on his haunches and wave his paws in the air until he catches my hand. Then he will move my hand back to his chest so I can continue to pet him. LOL  It’s the cutest YOUTUBE moment ever- if I could ever catch it on video. I bring out the camera and he loses interest and lays back down.

Also can’t forget Pigeon and Pita and a group shot of all the kittens but except Foggie who was busy at the time.